Hydrometallurgy

The term hydrometallurgy ( formerly: wet metallurgy ) is the totality of methods of metal extraction and refining the under - relative to pyrometallurgy - low temperatures exploit the substance-specific solubility and wettability of the different elements and their compounds.

Method

Hydrometallurgical methods are for example the flotation of sulfide ores of process economy lowering disturbing elements ( gangue), the extraction and refining electrolysis, based on the different deposition potentials of the elements and gravity separation in thickeners.

Use

These methods are used for example for the extraction of copper, nickel and cobalt.